Windshields

[bmarum]

I've got a 2002 Honda Shadow and I'm beginning to get tired of the wind knocking me around when I ride faster than 60 m.p.h. Although I don't really like the look of most of the windshields I've seen, I think I'll really enjoy riding more with one and that's more important to me than how my bike look.

Since I've never owned a bike with a windshield, I've got a couple of questions for those who do. First, how much does it reduce the wind while riding? 20 m.p.h. (i.e. 70 with a windshield feels like 50 w/o)? Or more? And second, any recommendations on a good one? I've been looking at the Memphis Slim but other than that don't have any real ideas.

[msfv65]

Originally Posted by bmarum

how much does it reduce the wind while riding? 20 m.p.h. (i.e. 70 with a windshield feels like 50 w/o)? Or more? And second, any recommendations on a good one? I've been looking at the Memphis Slim but other than that don't have any real ideas.

Depends on the size and shape of the wind screen. The one I had cut the wind by about 2/3rds on the upper body.

[z_bassman]

My baby wing came with one but I'm taller and the wind came over the top and smacked me right in the head. I replaced it with one three inches taller and wider (from www.jcwhitney.com) and now, looking through it instead of over it, life is very very good. No buffeting. I can run with my visor open even in the winter. How much quieter? I have no idea.

[bmarum]

Thanks for the replies guys. I read on the Memphis website that the ideal windshield should come up between the tip and bridge of your nose so that you can look over it when riding if you have to (rain and such). I'm thinking of getting between a 17 and 20 inch one. I'll check out the link for JC Whitney. I'm not so concerned about the noise, just getting slammed by the wind at higher speeds.

[bmarum]

Well, I got the windshield on Friday. I decided on a 19 inch Memphis Fats, gradient black to match my bike. After taking way too long to install it -- I'm mecahnically challenged but getting better -- I had to take it out for a test ride. As the main purpose was to reduce the buffeting I felt at high speeds, I headed out onto the freeway.

The first thing I noticed at about 50 mph was that the wind now seemed to almost be hitting me in the back of the head, which was a strange feeling. I'm assuming that this was the result of the air flowing up and over the windshield and then down behind me. As I increased speed, the effect seemed to even out a bit in that I was no longer getting hit in the back of the head but just that my helmet was sort of vibrating a lititle bit. Still, it was nothing like without the windshield when gusts would knock my head back and looking to change lanes would knock my helmet's face shield up. Aside from the wind hitting me a bit in the head, there was almost nothing on my upper body and I didn't feel like I was hanging on for dear life like I used to, even at 80 mph.

All things considered, I'm pretty happy with it. A 21 inch windshield might have been a bit nicer, but this one will do for now. I'm really only going to use it on long trips so if the wind still beats me up too much on the trip I'm taking next week I may look into getting a larger shield.

[z_bassman]

Just watch out for winds. Now that there's a great big "sail" the winds will toss you around a little more. My "mini 'Wing", with it's tall windshield and giant fairing gets thrown all over the road in a still cross-wing.

[Argyle]

How do you change a Hayabusa Shield to the DB variety

is it a matter of just taking out the two L key screws or is there more to it like tearing apart the dash????

[eye.surgeon]

You may want to consider getting lower deflectors mounted along with your windshield if you want to eliminate the buffeting that you are noticing. Usually forums for your specific bike are the best place to find out what the best combination of windshield and lowers will produce the best result.